BTT's Fix Our Water Initiative

It's a challenging time in Florida's ongoing water crisis, but a newly introduced Florida Senate bill is a positive step in the efforts to restore the Everglades. In 2016, billions of gallons of nutrient-rich water were dumped out of Lake Okeechobee into the surrounding estuaries, leading to catastrophic algae blooms, killing marine life and endangering people and animals alike. Those challenges strengthened the movement to store, clean, and restore a more natural flow to the water coming out of Lake Okeechobee. Thousands of people have signed petitions and contacted their government representatives, and we need everyone to act NOW!

Senator Rob Bradley recently introduced SB 10, a bill intended to reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee and increase the flow of water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay via a new reservoir to be built in the EAA. Representative Thad Altman has introduced a companion bill in the Florida House, HB 761. Please contact your elected representatives today and ask for their support of these bills that are so important to the health and future of our recreational fisheries in Florida.

What needs to happen?

Appropriate freshwater flows need to be restored!

The plans to make this happen are in place - known as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project or CERP - they just haven't been adequately funded or implemented as promised and need to be implemented immediately.

SB 10, a bill recently introduced by Senator Rob Bradley to reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee and increase water storage to the south of Lake O, needs to be passed. The bill will allow purchase of 60,000 acres of land to store, clean and convey water south of Lake O.

The Central Everglades Planning Project needs to be fast-tracked.

The state needs to implement strategies to reduce the amount of nutrients in freshwater entering the estuaries.

Land needs to be purchased to create filter marshes to filter nutrients from the freshwater entering estuaries.

Once freshwater flows are addressed, habitat restoration must occur.

Take Action Today!

PLEASE NOTE: In order for the message in the form to be sent to the Florida representatives, you must be a resident of Florida. IF YOU ARE NOT, you can still contact one of the representatives via the links below.

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